New campus group offers support for sexual assault, domestic abuse survivors
A new group on campus is giving victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse a safe space to heal and boost self-esteem.
Phoenix: Survivors Support Group was started in early February by seniors Katelyn Troastle and Cassy Jerrett as a way for survivors to talk and participate in healing activities.
Troastle and Jerrett said they came up with the idea for the group over a cup a coffee after they both gave presentations in a class.
“We started talking about it jokingly … then we thought, ‘Wait, can we do this?’” Troastle said. She then started looking into starting the group last November.
Now, the group meets every two weeks in Old Main, room 214 at 8 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for March 29.
As a way to reach a greater pool of people, Troastle and Jerrett maintain a Facebook page which they run daily. A unique feature of the page is that survivors have a place to share their experiences of being victimized, either publicly or anonymously.
“We check the submissions every week, and if you wish you can remain anonymous,” Jerrett said.
Phoenix: Survivors Support Group is still fairly small, with only one other member attending the meetings, who wanted to remain anonymous.
The three share their past experiences with each other openly.
They’re attentive to each other’s stories and understand the others’ struggles, the group’s creators said. While the group has serious discussions about domestic abuse and sexual assault, the organizers know how to lighten the mood at the right times.
“We’re not here to victim-blame, we’re not here to shame them – we’re here to help them in whatever way they want,” Jerrett said. “It’s tailored to the individual.”
Troastle said she hopes more people will attend the meetings.
“We’ve been trying to get more publicity for our group because we know there are survivors out there,” she said.
Troastle and Jerrett have also been coordinating with Vermillion’s Domestic Violence Safe Option Services (DVSOS). An off-campus service, DVSOS offers support and safe places for victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault.
Sandie Sullivan, the executive director of DVSOS, has served as a legal advocate for victims for 25 years.
Sullivan said the organization is willing to help anyone in need.
“(DVSOS) provides temporary safe places, food, clothing and advocacy for victims of abuse, in court, the hospital or with police,” she said.
Phoenix: Survivors Support Group is open to both men and women, and sessions aren’t exclusive to the topics of domestic abuse or sexual assault. They also cover topics such as trouble in school, at work, with friends or frustrations in general.
“You don’t even have to say a word, you can sit and listen to other survivors,” Troastle said. “It’s a safe place where you can come and vent, if you want.”
For more information about Phoenix: Survivors Support Group, email [email protected], or call or text (605) 381-8046 or (612) 751-8664. To contact Vermillion’s Domestic Violence Safe Option Services, call (605) 624-5311.
